Rudy,

The stuff is gypsum blocks called PyroBar and was real good fireproofing
material. When heated, gypsum gives off water that is why sheetrock is a
good fireproofing material too even though it has a paper facing. 

They don't make PyroBar anymore. We have worked on several PyroBar
projects, many are the walls lining elevator shafts. Lots of fun riding
on the tops of elevators at night and getting paid for doing it!

From what I have read, gypsum materials expand during setting, primarily
because the dihydrate crystals push against each other as they form. So
if the block got wet, it will expand and weaken and probably needs to be
replaced. 

Let me know if we can help!

Eric Hammarberg, Assoc. AIA
Vice President
Thornton Tomasetti
51 Madison Avenue
New York, NY  10010
T 917.661.7800  F 917.661.7801  
D 917.661.8160  
[log in to unmask]
www.ThorntonTomasetti.com


-----Original Message-----
From: The listserv where the buildings do the talking
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rudy R
Christian
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 11:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [BP] Should have built it with wood

At least it might have floated...

This just in on the PTN hot line:

A quick question...I have a tax credit project in Hampton, VA called the
Chamberlin Hotel, which is right on the water and is part of Fort
Monroe.
This impressive property (I think it's in an NHL district), recently
experienced bad flood damage from a freak storm and is hurting big time.
I'm not sure if I'm getting all this right, but I believe part of the
problem is that the interior walls are made of gypsum block, which has
absorbed a lot of moisture and is now structurally compromised. I guess
drying them out isn't enough.   In any case, the state office in is
looking
for any good architects and/or engineers who specialize in flood damage.

Anyone with pins in their head have a clue what this might be about?

Woody

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